HAMSTRUNG BEN SPARKS A RETHINK

Skipper may have to give up all-action role

- Rory Dollard

ENGLAND may be forced to reconsider Ben Stokes' future as an all-action all-rounder.

The skipper went off the field in Hamilton clutching the same left hamstring he tore badly in August, and was unable to complete his over on the third afternoon of the final Test against New Zealand.

The sight of Stokes hobbling out of the ground with a compression bandage on his leg was a gut-wrenching image, at the end of a trip where he seemed to banish 18 months of fitness troubles and finally looked ready to resume duties as his team's do-it-yourself action hero.

He was into his 67th over of the series and his 37th of the match when he felt his muscle twinge and exited the stage with head in hands. His day was over immediately.